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CURRENT HOUSING NEEDS Current housing needs have to do with the extent to which housing is available to those who need it, the degree to which available housing is affordable by those who need it, and th~ extent to which the housing stock of the community is in decent and standard condition. An analysis of housing needs must examine the degree to which Santa Ana's population currently is ill-housed, defined as residing in substandard quarters, overpaying for housing and/or residing in overcrowded housing. In addition, it must examine any special housing needs which may exist within the community, such as those of the elderly, handicapped and disabled, minorities, female-headed households and large families. The following brief review of current socio-economic and housing/land use data will serve as a foundation for quantification of current housing needs in the City. Additional data and statistical detail will be found in the Appendix. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND TRENDS Population Santa Ana's 1980 Census population was 203,/13, a 13.5 percent increase over the 1976 population and a 30.8 percent increase over the 1970 figure. The 1980 population exceeds that projected for 1985 by the Orange County Environmental Management Agency. Most of this population increase in the late 1970s was comprised of Asian and Latin American immigrants, primarily Vietnamese, Mexicans and Puerto Ricans. Tables 1 and 2 of the Appendix detail this data. It is estimated by the California Department of Finance that total City population has increased to 209,800 in 1981. Current population (1980 Census count) is estimated to be comprised of 21 percent non-minority white persons, 5 percent Asians, 4 percent Black, one percent American Indian and 25 percent "other". Because the Census asked questions relative to Hispanic origin separately from questions about race, accurate Hispanic counts are not possible. It is estimated, however, that there are approximately 91,000 Hispanics, almost 45 percent of the total population. Household Size 1980 Census information about household size and ovecrowding is not currently available. However, a comparison of population counts and dwelling unit counts found in Table 1 of the Appendix indicate that average household size increased during the period 1976-1980, from 2.89 persons per household to 3.03 persons; it appears that this trend is continuing and that 1981 average household size in Santa Ana is 3.10. This trend is unusual in Southern California, where average household size generally is'decreasing, and probably reflects the result of unanticipated in-migration of foreign-born residents in a time of rising housing costs and limited housing availability. 3